Organization: FHI 360

Country: Zimbabwe

Field location: Kwekwe, Zimbabwe

Office: FHI 360 in Kwekwe

Kwekwe, Zimbabwe

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Cervical Cancer Nurse

Location: Kwekwe

Program Summary:

The Zimbabwe HIV Care and Treatment (ZHCT) mechanism project increases the availability and quality of care and treatment services for people living with HIV (PLHIV) by complimenting the Ministry of Health and Child Care's (MOHCC) efforts towards HIV epidemic control in Zimbabwe. The project provides technical assistance to the management, coordination and provision of comprehensive HIV clinical care and treatment services within the national HIV program. The technical assistance spans across all MOHCC and PERFAR HIV priority technical areas.

Position Summary:

The Cervical Cancer Nurse (CCN) will be responsible for the implementation of high-quality cervical cancer to increase access to screening and treatment services for women living with HIV. The CCN is a registered nurse seconded to cervical cancer or VIAC (Visual Inspection with Acetic acid and Cervicography) clinics within designated public health care facilities. The Cervical Cancer nurse will be assigned to work at a heath facility under the guidance and technical supervision of the health facility leadership team and directly reporting to the designate District Cervical Cancer Officer.

Key Responsibilities:

The main responsibilities for the CCN will be to provide cervical cancer screening for women living with HIV (WLHIV) as guided by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) strategic plan. The responsibilities extend to include the treatment of precancerous lesions using cryotherapy and thermal ablation. In consultation with the client, the nurse will develop a treatment plan for each client, that includes subsequent follow-up and necessary investigations. Key will be to design treatment plans as guided by the MoHCC SOPs and guidelines. The CCN will be responsible for managing and reporting ALL adverse events experienced by the client during screening and treatment. In cases where the treatment goes beyond the scope of the nurse's training and experience, (s)he shall refer all clients to the next level of care and ensure that the client completes the referral by conducting the necessary follow-up. Adherence to the MoHCC and FHI360 SOPs and guidelines. The CCN must ensure that all clients receive the best quality care and treatment.

Key Performance Areas: Conduct cervical cancer screening and treatment of precancerous lesions for women living with HIV (WLHIV) between the ages of 25-65 years per national guidelines.

Work with the health care workers at the health facility to identify HIV positive women between the ages of 25-65 years for cervical cancer screening.

Register eligible clients in the electronic and paper-based registers before client is screened.

Counsel client on the benefits and potential side events of cervical cancer screening so that client can give informed consent.

Expansion of same day/fast track cervical cancer screening and treatment of pre-invasive lesion services in high volume antiretroviral treatment clinics in alignment with the algorithm for cervical cancer screening approach in PEPFAR programs.

Conduct VIAC for each client in a safe, private, confidential and dignified environment for every client..

After screening client, treat client using the provided SOPs and algorithms.

Track and re-screen WLHIV with negative cervical cancer screening results every two years in order to closely monitor outcomes in the context of HIV-related immunosuppression.

The nurse will be expected to offer treatment to clients with STIs, cervicitis or genital ulcer disease incidentally diagnosed during the screening process. Adherence to the STIs treatment guidelines is of paramount importance.

In consultation with the client, the nurse will be responsible for drawing up a follow up plan/schedule and book the client in the provided diary.

Conduct treatment for precancerous cervical cancer lesions

For clients who screen positive for pre-cancerous lesions the nurse will provide treatment using cryotherapy or thermal ablation, depending on availability of treatment method.

For ALL clients with precancerous lesions, the nurse will be expected to use treat and see approach to avoid missed opportunities.

Treat and monitor all clients for adverse events. It is the responsibility of the nurse to report all adverse events to the FHI360 and MoHCC databases.

Ensure referral of women with ablative-ineligible lesions for LEEP (when applicable); women with suspected cervical cancer should be referred for additional evaluation and treatment at established referral sites in the country that are identified during the planning process.

Clients with suspected invasive cancer shall be referred to the next level of care in consultation with the hospital doctor and/or mentor. The nurse will be responsible for following up of the client and calling the receiving facility to ensure client completes referral. Documentation of the patient referral outcome shall also be done by the nurse.

Where applicable, the nurse shall be responsible for issuing client with suspected invasive cancer with biopsy and/or transport coupons.

Outreach, community mobilisation and demand creation

Conduct educational awareness within facilities and community groups to enhance accurate sensitization to cervical cancer and the necessity of screening and treatment among WLHIV.

link clients with unknown HIV status who present with cervical cancer to HIV testing services and follow-on care and treatment if positive for HIV.

Demand creation for cervical cancer screening for women living with HIV, targeting WLHIV between 25-65 years, particularly leveraging on existing community and facility-based activities, and engaging members of the target audience in the development of appropriate messaging.

Conduct outreach VIAC visits to screen women in hard to reach areas. In consultation with the District Health Executive (DHE) a schedule for outreach visits to identified sites should be developed and adhered to. The CC nurse will also compile a list of names for the outreach team and a duty roster developed as well.

Schedule follow up visits for all clients screened and treated during outreach visits. Support identification of clients who are defaulting for tracking and tracing.

Strategic Information and Evaluation (SIE)

Registration of all clients screened for cervical cancer in the provided standard MoHCC electronic and paper registers.

Record and maintain filing system for all client records as per MoHCC procedures.

Prepare monthly report on services rendered for submission to supervisor. Using the relevant primary data sources, the nurse will be responsible for timeously collecting, compiling and reporting to MoHCC and FHI360.

Facilitate linkage between HIV testing, diagnosis, care, support and treatment Provide adherence counselling and initiate clients on ARV treatment.

Link and refer clients to facility and community based Psychosocial Support Services Provide routine follow-up and monitoring of clients (including scheduling interpreting Viral Load and CD4 tests) and provide adherence support to clients issued with results

All the duties will be performed within an integrated system; i.e. HIV care and treatment, family planning and cervical cancer services must be offered to the client under one roof where possible. Where not possible, it is the CC nurse's responsibility to ensure that the client is linked to all the other services as required. The nurse might be asked to perform other duties that contribute to the achievement of cervical cancer targets and improve the quality of care for the clients.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Proficiency in English and relevant local language (Shona, Ndebele).

Knowledge of community health practices and general medical ethics.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently within a team.

Working under minimal supervision, self-motivation and self-driven to achieve set goals and targets.

Ability to analyze and report relevant activities.

Sound knowledge of HIV care and treatment practices in Zimbabwe.

Results oriented and able to meet project deliverables.

Computer literacy is a must.

Qualifications and minimum requirements

RGN/PCN/Primary Care Nursing or equivalent with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.

Certificate in Rapid HIV Testing and Counselling Registration with Nurses Council of Zimbabwe.

License to practice as a nurse in Zimbabwe.

Class 3 license or willingness to ride a motorbike is a must.

Motorbike riding experience is an added advantage.

Training, knowledge and experience in cervical cancer screening and Cervicography is an added advantage.

Training in Advance HV management is an added advantage.

Sound knowledge and experience in M&E is an added advantage.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package , professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others - and yourself.

Full time

Requisition - 2021200472

About Us

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication and social marketing - creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

As we evolve to meet the challenges of the future, we stand committed to the principles that have guided our organization for the last 40+ years. Our work continues to be grounded in research and science, strengthened by partnerships and focused on building the capacity of individuals, communities and countries to succeed.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.